EDEN winner 2013

Somogy county and its seat Kaposvár lie in the rolling hills of the South Transdanubian region between the river Dráva and Lake Balaton. The history of the city, built on seven hills between the down-land of Zselic and the river Kapos, is as old as the Hungarian state.

Kaposvár is a liveable, loveable city with a human aspect. It is a place where the locals are in a constant state of joy and this infectious feeling is imperceptibly passed on to tourists. Neat surroundings, flowers, fountains and outdoor statues create a special atmosphere. Visitors to Kaposvár from spring to autumn find special festivals in addition to the city's full floral splendour. The legacy of the famous native-born painter József Rippl-Rónai, whose life spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is faithfully preserved in the city's culture and museums. The city centre's pedestrian precinct was deservedly awarded the title of "Hungary's Best Kept Main Square and High Street" in 2010.

Besides the vibrant cultural life, the recreational options of the area make the region highly attractive. The Art Nouveau city of Kaposvár and the rolling countryside of the Zselic area offer pleasant relaxation with something for everyone to see or do.

Events

Traditionally, carnival is celebrated in Kaposvár in early February around the 6th, the day associated with the Christian name – Dorothy. This is when the carnival prince comes to town in a colourful cavalcade and the revelry can begin. At the end of May the city centre acquires a bohemian, Mediterranean mood as it is turned into an artists' quarter. The festival of The City of Painters evokes the lively spirit at the time of Rippl-Rónai and Vaszary. Besides day-to-day life in a medieval castle, traditions come to life in June, when there are pageants of knights from every corner of Hungary at Ladybird Farm, the Patca Castle Games and the Medieval Family Festival. In July football is in focus as almost two hundred junior teams (ages 9-19) from all over the world gather for the International Youth Football Festival. In August Kaposvár hosts one of the country's top musical events, where musicians of international fame delight audiences at the concerts of the International Chamber Music Festival. In every season the admirers of hunt, fishing and gastronomy can indulge their passions right here, in the neighbourhood.

Best destination in Hungary in "accessible tourism" in 2013

Over recent years, the centre of Kaposvár has been consciously renovated and reconstructed to create barrier-free cultural institutions, museums, and the municipal baths and lido. Disabled people will encounter improvements that enable them to explore the city by themselves. Subtitled, signed short tourist films have been made for the hearing impaired, while there are tactile maps, audio guides and zebra crossings that ‘speak' to the visually impaired.